SMIC, Pop Mart lead Hong Kong stocks higher before Christmas trading break
Hong Kong’s market will close early on Wednesday and remain shut on December 25 and 26
The Hang Seng Index closed 0.4 per cent higher at 25,801.77, paring some of the 1.1 per cent loss last week. The Hang Seng Tech Index gained 0.9 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index climbed 1 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.7 per cent.
Trading in Hong Kong will be shortened over the holiday period, with an early close on Christmas Eve, while the market will remain shut on December 25 and 26. Southbound trading through the Stock Connect link will also be suspended from December 24 afternoon before resuming on December 29.
Leading the gainers, chipmaker SMIC jumped 5.9 per cent to HK$68.90 and blind-box toymaker Pop Mart International advanced 4.6 per cent to HK$201.80. Online travel-booking agency Trip.com rose 2.7 per cent to HK$575, and search-engine giant Baidu gained 1.3 per cent to HK$120.30.
Limiting the gains, pharmaceutical firm WuXi AppTec slumped 2.6 per cent to HK$101.10 and peer Innovent Biologics fell 1.7 per cent to HK$81.80. Logistics major ZTO Express lost 1 per cent to HK$165.10, while smartphone and carmaker Xiaomi retreated 1.8 per cent to HK$39.80.
Hong Kong’s market mirrored a rally in the US on Friday as investors positioned for gains to continue in 2026. The S&P 500 Index advanced 0.9 per cent and Nasdaq gained 1.3 per cent.